Why is mate important to the people who drink it

Always wait to be offered the mate by the cebador, never just help yourself. Everyone in the group will share mate from the same container. The first mate poured will always be the most bitter and strongest in flavour. Traditionally, the cebador will always consume this first cup. This allows them to tweak the temperature or sweetness before offering the drink to the group.

However, historically, this was done to prove that the cebador means no harm to their guests. This is because occasionally, mate circles were used to poison enemies! The cebador will always pass the mate cup clockwise. This means that the mate will come to you earlier than if you sit on the right side. The mate should always be passed with the right hand because to pass with the left shows a disrespect for the person receiving the drink.

Whilst this is most applicable to the cebador, the rule applies to everyone within the circle. The bombilla should never be used to stir the mate. Playing with the bombilla can cause the herbs to get caught in the filter and spoil the drink. Touching the bombilla is an insult to the cebador as it implies they have done a bad job of brewing the mate. To be polite and stop any embarrassing comments from your fellow guests , aim to finish the mate within around minutes.

Not only is it selfish to keep people waiting but the water will continue to lose temperature, arguably making it less enjoyable for those yet to drink.

You must never pass the mate on to the person next to you. The cebador always distributes the mate so you must hand the gourd back to only them. This is a bit counter-intuitive for all of us English speakers who say no thanks as a way of declining.

In mate cultures, you only ever say thank you to the cebador when you are finished drinking the mate. If you are happy to continue enjoying the drink, pass the gourd back and stay silent. Sharing it from this traditional gourd is said to be a sign of friendship and bonding. Rich in Antioxidants and Nutrients. Yerba mate contains several beneficial plant nutrients, including 1 : Xanthines: These compounds act as stimulants.

They include caffeine and theobromine, which are also found in tea, coffee, and chocolate. Caffeoyl derivatives: These compounds are the main health-promoting antioxidants in the tea. Saponins: These bitter compounds have certain anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties. Polyphenols: This is a large group of antioxidants, linked to a reduced risk of many diseases. However, these testimonials have not yet been scientifically proven. May Enhance Physical Performance.

The optimal amount of yerba mate to drink before exercise is currently unknown. It may also improve muscle contractions and reduce fatigue, all of which may contribute to better physical performance. May Protect Against Infections. Yerba mate may help prevent infections from bacteria, parasites, and fungi. However, more research is needed. This could help you lose weight.

May Boost Your Immune System. Lowers Blood Sugar Levels. However, research in people is currently lacking. However, more human research is needed. That said, more studies are needed before strong conclusions can be reached. How to Prepare Yerba Mate.

Yerba mate is traditionally served in a container called a gourd, also known as a calabash. If you do not own a calabash, you can prepare it in a French press. Safety and Side Effects. Yerba mate is unlikely to cause harm to healthy adults who drink it occasionally. However, those who drink it regularly may be at increased risk of the following: Cancer Studies show that drinking large amounts of yerba mate for a long time may increase your risk of upper respiratory and digestive tract cancers 1 , 31 , 32 , In addition to the gourd, a bombilla is needed.

The bombilla is a metal drinking straw with a filter on one end. It is traditionally made from silver and includes ornate decorations, although more modern varieties are usually made of stainless steel or nickel. Brewing and serving the drink is always left to the cebador , who is commonly the host. The tea is prepared in the gourd by filling it up about two-thirds of the way with dry yerba. Next, it is essential to tilt the gourd so the yerba inside is at an angle.

This will make it possible to keep some of the leaves dry. Cool or warm water is then poured in the gourd to hydrate the yerba and the bombilla is inserted. At this point, everything is ready for the cebador to properly brew the mate with hot water. View our range of tours here. I am an American writer and journalist currently based in Berlin where I settled down after several wayward months of meandering across Europe, Asia, and Central America.

My interests on the topic of travel include exploring the ethics and benefits of cultural interchange as well as recounting my culinary adventures abroad. You can find out more about my work at lilycichanowicz. Learning to love Yerba Mate tea in Argentina Features.

Photo by Julia Pearce. Photo by Alexandr Vorobev. Photo by Drew Dunlop. Share on Facebook Share. Share on Twitter Tweet.